U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Study of Incendiarism

NCJ Number
93546
Author(s)
J McGee; R J Montgomery; E B Munsell; G Ohley; F Paulowski; J L Puckett; L M Schlachter; R H Skillings
Date Published
1984
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study of arson covers arson motives, incendiary devices, starting fires by tampering with electrical appliances, and arson detection and prevention.
Abstract
Motives for arson include pyromania, revenge, covering up another crime, attention-seeking, and criminal profit (for professional firesetter). The two categories of incendiary devices are a device that simply causes ignition and a device that causes ignition with an accelerant. Possible incendiary devices include (1) gasoline injected in a lightbulb and placed back in its socket; (2) the molotov cocktail with potassium chlorate and sugar plus acid; (3) the delayed molotov, which consists of gasoline in a plastic Chlorox bottle with fuse attached; and (4) an harassment-type explosion that uses a pressurized paint can and a fuse. Investigators often overlook domestic appliances that have been tampered with. To detect this arson source, investigators must know the construction and operation of such appliances. The controls usually tampered with in electrical appliances are the thermostat, control valves, relief valves, supply lines, and blower fans or cooling systems. Arson detection begins with trained observation by the firefighters at the fire scene. Firefighters should observe persons or vehicles leaving the fire scene as they arrive, the color of the smoke and flames, the condition of entry points, and any unusual odors. Arson prevention methods include educating the public about the danger of fire and the difficulty of controlling it. Other means of prevention are securing premises to make it difficult for the arsonist to set a destructive fire and early detection through such devices as infrared detectors and sensors. These devices -- along with suppression devices -- can often extinguish a fire in its early stages. Eight bibliographic listings are provided.